By Dan Archer
Social media has become an invaluable means of communication with friends or new acquaintances. Many of us also use social media as work tools. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, WhatsApp and other social media venues provide quick access to information and interconnections. Moreover, social media is often entertaining. We scroll through our Facebook pages, discovering clips of puppies rolling over couches, cringe at mistakes on game shows, laugh at another highlight of a furry convention or watch stage dives at metal gigs filmed and posted with phones. Historic trivia, world events, music videos – a person spends hours scouring different sites on phones and laptops without realizing the time they’ve wasted.
Unfortunately, although social media is fun, it also has a malicious side. We manage computer viruses with programs. We refuse engagement with internet trolls by blocking them. But identifying and resolving fake accounts on Facebook or Twitter pages remains problematic if the scammer is clever. People running fake accounts attempt to borrow money after posing as a romantic interest or as a friend needing cash. Online con artists pinch identities, enabling them to manipulate others under false guises. A Facebook scam involves using the identities of family members or friends in profiles, sending messages about qualifying for free money from the government – but you must pay upfront first. The scammer insists the money is for delivery or processing.
If you become suspicious for any reason, ask your internet pal why they want to be friends on Facebook, Twitter or whatever else another genius in Silicon Valley is dreaming-up for next week. When you click on the profile’s name, see if you have mutual friends. Next, study everything about the profile – see if they’re genuine with no ulterior motives. Also, Google the friend’s name online. Recently, I Googled a Facebook friend and discovered this internet pal had taken someone’s identity and location from an inactive Twitter account. Speaking of inactive accounts, ascertain if the account you’re investigating has remained active without noticeable time lapses.
Examine profile pictures during in your analysis to see if the account contains photo-shopped images. Click and drag a profile picture to your desktop. Open Google Chrome, navigate to Images then drag the photos to the search field. Google will match the photo with a name or with similar photos. Fake Facebook accounts are valuable for imposters and confidence artists.
Always guard your personal information. Internet scammers are becoming more sophisticated as they continue to hack into accounts, stealing personal data, cash and identities with greater ease, despite Mark Zuckerberg’s best efforts.
